Method of loading tanks



D. 17, 1940. v. l. HOQPER Em; 2,224,963

METHOD OF LOADING TANKS Filed July9, 1958 4 Sheets-SheetI 1 Dec. 17, 1940. v. l. HooPER ETA; 2,224,963

METHOD oF LOADING TANKS Filed'Juiy 9, 1958 4 sheets-sheet 2 46 E il 45 n- Dec. 17, 1940. v. HooPER Erm.

METHOD OF LOADING TANKS 4 lSheets-[Sheet 3 Filed July 9, 1958 i? w r e e ,ej/j WU@ fzs @www vf Dec. 17, 1940. v. l. HooPER ErAL METHOD ioF LOADING TANKS 4 sheets-sheet 4 Filed July 9, 1938 inl l Patented Dec. `17, 1940 UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE METHOD F LOADING TANKS of Illinois Application July 9, 193s, seriaiivo. 218,412

6 Claims.

Our invention relates to an improvement in methods of handling fluids and is particularly adaptable to unloading volatile liquids or liquids containing volatile gases. As examples 'We may indicate propane, butane, gasoline and the like.

It will be understood, however, that our invention is applicable to a wide variety of liquids and gases, including those not under pressure and not developing pressures or releasing gases under pressure. However, we describe it and show it herein as applied to the delivery of fluids, for example propane or butane, to fixed tanks for local dispensation. l

One purpose of our invention is to provide an efficient method of delivering propane, butane or the like from trucks or cars to fixed storage or dispensing tanks. A

Another purpose is the provision of an improved method for preventing tampering with the contents of a rlxed tank, and for preventing bootlegging or access to the tank for filling purposes or otherwise by unauthorized operators.

Other purposes will appear from time to vtime 2 5 in the course of the specification and claims.

We illustrate our invention more or ls diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 illustrates an enlarged section through a fixed storage tank, with a delivery truck and the valve and passage system of the xed tank illustrated in side elevation;

Figure 2 is a vertical section on an enlarged scale through a storage tank, with parts in side $5 elevation, illustrating a variant valve and pipe system; v

Figure 3 is a vertical section through an inlet member removably secured to the fixed tank installation;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 illustrates a portion of the tank inlet with closure caps in position, as when the tank has been lled;

Figure 6 is a vertical section illustrating a variant form of removable connection; and

Figure 7 is a section illustrating the application oi' a slip tube gauge structure to the structure shown in Figure 6.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specification and drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, I indicates a buried tank'of the type which may be employed for butane, propane or the like. It is herein shown as buried a substantial distance in the earth,

indicated at 2. 3 is a tank assembly well, whereby the tank is put into communication with the surface. The assembly Well may have hinged orV otherwise secured thereto a cover 4 which may be swung into the open position in which 5 it is shown in Figure 1 vwhen access to the interior of the device is desired.

5 generally indicates a vertical passage member upwardly extending from the tank I, having at its upper end a tting 6 as shown in Figure 5. This tting may be screwthreaded or otherwise secured to the pipe 5 as at 1 'and is shown as having an interiorly screw-threaded passage 8 and an upward flange 9 interiorly screw-threaded as at Il). When the parts are n the closed position in which they are shown in Figure 5, the inner closure plug II is in closed position with its reduced screw-threaded portion I2 screwed into the screw-threaded portion 8 of the member s. 20

I3 indicates a control aperture in the top of the plug II which may be square or of any other suitable shape and which has lateral extensions or indentations I4, the purpose of which will later appear. I5 is an outer closure plug having a downwardly extendingA ange I6 exteriorly screw-threaded as at I1, which may be screwed into the threads I0 of the flange 9.

In the form of Figure 1 the pipe 5 is provided with any suitable checkA valve structure 20 at its 3 lower end and is normally located above the level of the liquidin the tank. 2l indicates a second pipe having at its upper end tting and closure meansjust as described in connection with the t pipe 5 and shown in Figure 5. At its lower end is the excess flow check valve 22. 23 is a third pipe extending upwardly from the tank I and which has any suitable tting at the top thereof as at 24, in which is slidably received the slip tube gauge member generally indicated as 25, the purpose of which will later appear and which is of a diameter substantially less than the diameter of the pipe 23. 26 is a gas outlet line extending from the pipe 23 to any suitable reducer structure generally indicated as at 21, from which extends a service line 28 eiective to carry gas from the interior ci the tank I to the point of use. lThe slip tube gauge 25 does not of itself form part of the present invention and may be used to gauge the contents of the tank and to determine the amount of liquid in the tank. It may of course be employed to determine when the tank has'been filled to a predetermined, desired level, during the filling operation. i

Assuming that the tank is somewhere near empty .and that it is the wish of the operator to ll it, the cover plate 4 is removed and the loading valve assembly generally indicated in Figure 3 is applied. The valve assembly includes a bottom valve passage member 34, with a bottom ledge 35 which is adapted to engage the gasket 36 when the closure .I5 is removed. Its central aperture is somewhat greater than the exterior diameter of the plug so that it can be put in place or removed Without disturbing said plug. It may be locked in position by the wing nut 31, the threads of which engage the threads III of the flange 9.

In communication with the upper end of the 4| in which is any suitable valve'controlled by the exterior handle 42. 43 is any suitable passage to which may be secured a loading hose or line 43a extending to a suitablesource of supply, such as the truck shown in Figure 1. It will be understood that a truck such as that in Figure l will be understood to be included in the installation shown in Figure 2, the truck being below described in somewhat greater detail.

v'I'he upper branch 44 of the T is alined with the passage member 34 and is of generally the same diameter. Slidable and rotatable in its end portion 45 is a stem 46 controlled by an exterior handle 41 provided with a squared portion 48 adapted to penetrate the correspondingly formed aperture I3 in the closure plug I. Spring balls or other spring members 50 may engage apertures I4 in the plug whereby, when the plug has been unscrewed by rotation of the handle 41, it may be upwardly withdrawn until the plug is located in the upper branch 44 of the T and above the side branch 39, so that it does not interfere with the passage of uid into the tank. When withdrawn into the upward position by a sliding movement of the stem 46, the upper balls 52 engage locking apertures 53 in the end members 45. 'I'he closure plug II is then held.' out of the line of iiow between the tank and the valve housing 4 I.

When the operator is loading the tank and has applied the above described valve assembly, he can open the valve controlled by the handle 42 and permit the liquid to iiow from the truck generally indicated as A into the tank I. When the tank is filled to the desired level, which may be ascertained by the employment ofthe slip tube gauge 25, the operator then moves the closure plug II. into closing position and rotates it until itis tightly drawn downwardly against the gasket 36. He preferably then closes the vvalve in the housing 4| and, before removing the valve assembly, he vents its interior to draw off any pressure that may remain therein.

This venting may be performed through the venting apertures 55 controlled by any suitable valve structure generally indicated as 56, with its associated exterior operating handle 51. After the operator has vented the interior of the loading valve assembly, he can then disconnect it from the exible filling tube 43a and from the flange 9. Incidentally, the venting enables the operator to know whether or not the plug- I I is screwed tightly in place, as if there is any escape about the plug it will cause a continuing ow outwardly through the vent passage 55, which will be easily observed by the operator.

When the valve tting is removed, the operator returns the closure I5 to the position in which it is shown in Figure 5 and closes the top closure plate 4. Preferably, in order to prevent venting of vinflammable gases near the dwelling house, the operator will not disconnect the above described valve assembly from the hose connecting it to the truck until he has left the premises. Or, if he so desires, he can leave the valve assembly at all times secured to the end of the exible hose. It will be understood, of course, that any addiditionl valve means which may be necessary may be employed in connection with the flexible hose. Referring to Figure 1, we indicate a hose 43a with a valve 53 separating it from any suitable pump structure 60. Thus the hose is provided in effect with a valve at each end, since the valve controlled by the handle 42 closes the discharge end of the hose.

Whereas it may be practical under some circumstances to employ but a single connection with the truck tank A, namely the hose 43a, a return vapor passage may also be advantageous. In such event it will be understood that a valve assembly which may be identical with that above described may be applied to the top of the pipe 2 I. In such event, a return gas hose 6| may extend to any suitable inlet 62 at the top of the tank A which in turn is provided with a check valve 63 of any suitable type which prevents the escape of vapor from the' tank A but permits vapor to return t o the tank from the fixed tank I and the passage 2| when the vapor pressure in the xed tank I exceeds the vaporpressure in the moving tank A.

Whereas in the form of our invention above described, we have illustrated a slip tube gauge 25 as applied to the tank itself, it will be understood that in the event we wish to gauge a tank in which a xed gauge is not so supplied, we may employ the valve assembly shown at the left of Figure 2, and shown in `greater detail in Figures 6 and 7. In the place of the valve assembly shown in detail in Figure 3 and which is also shown as employed at the right of Figure 2, we illustrate a variant assembly shown in Figures 6 and 7. This variant assembly includes a passage member III), a wing nut an intermediate valve housing 2, a valve II3, a valve handle I I4, and an upper passage member ||5. The upper passage member has the side passage ||6 in communication with the valve housing |I1 which is 1 the equivalent of the valve housing 4| of Figures l and 3. II8' is a vent controlled by any suitable valve structure ||9 with an exterior handle |20 corresponding to the vent assembly 55, 56, 51 of Figure 3.

In the place of the closed end 45 we illustrate a removable plug |2| in which is slidably and rotatably mounted the pin |22 with the squared end |23 and the balls |24 which serves to open and remove the plug II. When the plug has been removed to a position above the valve ||3,

the valve ||3 can be closed, thus closing off the tank from the atmosphere. The operator can then remove the end |2| with the stem |22 and the closure plug and can replace it with the plug |30'of Figure 7.

slidably mounted in the plug |30 is the slip tube gauge |3I with its upper outlet |32 controlled by any suitable valve |33 with the exterior handle |34. In the use of the slip tube gauge as a gauging and sampling device, the operator after he has tightened the member |30 opens the valve ||3 and slips the slip tube gauge down into the interior of the tank. He can then gauge the height of the liquid and sample it if necessary. It will be understood that the valve shown in Figure 1. This arrangement is particularly adaptable for use when the valve assembly of Figure 6 is connected to the vapor return line.

In this case the vapor return line BI may be connected to the side passage IIS through the valve housing II1, as shown in Figure 2. While the tank A is not shown in Figure 2, it will be understood that the disposition of the parts, sol

far as relatesv to connecting with the tank, is precisely as shown in Figure 1. Thus this assembly may be used with tanks which are not tted with excess flow valves, or may be used in cases where excess flow valves are employed with means for permitting gauging through them. Thus in Figure 2 the slip tube gauge passes downwardly through the tube 2i and through the space where the excess ilow valve 2 2 appears in Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 2, the passage member 5 adapted for loading the tank I may, if desired, be provided with an extension pipe MII terminating closely adjacent the bottom of the tank, which carries a lcheck valve 20a similar to the check valve 20 of Figure 1. The gas outlet pipe 26a extends from the discharge passage 23a to a reducer structure 21a from which a service line 28a carries the gas from the tank I to the point of use. These parts may be similar to the parts illustrated in Figure 1 with the exception of the slip tube gauge.

It will be realized that whereas we have described and shown a practical and operative means for carrying out our method, nevertheless many changes may be made in theV size, shape, number and disposition of parts and in the arrangement and use of the various parts withoutv departing from the spirit of our invention, and we therefore wish our description and drawings to be taken asin a broad sense illustrative and diagrammatic rather than as limiting us to our preoise showing. Our method may .be carried out by a variety of mechanisms and it will be understood that the particular mec herein shown, while adapted for our method, are not of themselves necessary for its use.

In the ordinary use of our method, it will vbe understood that the movable tank indicated as A may be employed in connection with a mecha' nism shown in Figures 1 and 2 and shown in greater detail in the different forms of Figures 3 and 6, and Figure 2 should be interpreted as if having shown therein the tank A which is shown in Figure 1.

Under some circumstances the loading line Ila may be employed, extending direct from the tank A to the loading valve of the loading valve assembly shown at the right in Figure 1 and shown in detail in Figure 3. The operator connects the parts as above described and then simply loads through the loading valve assembly into the ilxed tank I. Under some circumstances, however, it is necessary to employ a vapor return line and it may be connected directly to the vaporreturn assembly shown at the left of Figure 1 and the gauging may be done through the attached gauge. The operator of course has with him the assem bly shown in Figures 3 and '7 and when he is loading a tank of the type in which there is no attached gauge, he can attach his gauge to the return vapor assembly as shown at the left of Figure 2, and also can connect the vapor return line 6I to the same assembly.

It will be understood that the specillc details of structure employed may be widely varied in connection with the' normal use of our method.

'We claim:

1. 'Ihe method o( loading a volatile liquid in' to a xed tank which includes moving a body of such liquid within loading distance oi' such tank, applying to an aperture in the tank, while such aperture is closed, a removable passage member, opening said tank aperture by manipulation through said passage member after the passage member has been sealed in relation to said aperture, putting the interior of said passage member into communication with the body of liquid to be loaded, and causing said liquid to flow inwardly through said passage member and aperture into said tank.

2. The method of loading a volatile liquid under pressure into a iixed tank'which includes moving a body of such liquid within loading distance of such tank, applying to an aperture in the tank, while such aperture is closed, a removable passage member, opening said tank aperture by manipulation through said passage member after the passage member has been sealedin relation to said aperture, putting the interior of said passage member into communication with the Ibody of liquid to be loaded, causing said liquid to ow inwardly through said passage member and aperture into said tank, terminating such flow when the'desired quantity of liquid has been supplied to the fixed tank, thereafter closing the tank aperture, and thereafter removing the removable passage member. 4

3. The method of loading a volatile liquid into a fixed tank which includes moving a body of such liquid within loading distance of such tank, applying to an aperture in the tank, while such aperture is closed, a removable passage member, opening said tank aperture by manipulation through saidpassage member after the passage member has been sealed in relation to said aperture, putting'the interior of said passage member into communication with the body o'i' liquid to be loaded, causing said liquid to flow inwardly through said passage member and aperture into said tank, terminating the iiow of liquid throughv the passage member, and closing said aperture by manipulation'through said passage member,v and thereafter removing the passage member.

4. The method of loading a volatile liquid under pressure into a fixed tank havinginlet and vent apertures which includes moving a body of such liquid under pressure within loading distance of such tank, applying removable inlet and vent valve assemblies to the inlet and vent apertures of the tank, respectively, while the inlet and vent apertures are closed, thereafter, by

manipulation through said removable valve assemblies alone, putting the interiors of the valve assemblies in communication with the interior of the tank, putting the inlet aperture of the tank iny communication with said body of liquid by opening the passage through the inlet valve assembly and causing liquid to ilow from such body of liquid through such valve assembly and inlet aperture, putting the vent valve assembly in communication with a body of gas associated with said body oi' liquid while retaining said vent valve assembly closed to the air, and returning gases from said tank through said vent aperture and vent valve assembly to a zone including such liquid and the gases associated therey with.

which includes moving a body of such liquid within loading distance of such tank, applying removable inlet and vent valve assemblies to the inlet and vent apertures of the tank, respectively, while the inlet and vent apertures are closed, thereafter, by manipulation ,through said removable valve Vassemblieslalone, putting the interiors of the valve assembliesl in communication with the interior of the tank, putting the inlet aperture of the tank in communication with said body of liquid through the inlet valve assembly and causing liquid to flow from such body of liquid through such valve assembly and inlet aperture, putting the vent valve assembly in communication with a body of gas associated with said body of liquid, returninggases from said tank through said vent aperture and vent valve assembly to a zone including such liquid and the gases associated therewith, closing said inlet and vent apertures,l by manipulation through said valve assemblies, ,after the desired amount of liquid has been supplied to said xed tank, closing the interiors of said valve assemblies from said body of liquid andthe gases associated with said body of liquid, venting the interiors f said valve assemblies, and thereafter removing them from the tank.

6. The method of loading la volatile liquid under pressure into a normally fixed tank, which includes positioning a body of such liquid under pressure in a movable container, moving such container, with the body of liquid therein, to a point adjacent the tank to be illled, sealing to an aperture in the xed tank, while such aperture is closed, a removable passage member, opening the aperture in the xed tank, by manipulation through said passage member, after the passage member has been sealed in relation to said aperture and after it is in communication with the body of liquid in the moving tank, putting said removable passage member into communication with the body of liquid in the movable tank, and

causing said liquid to ow inwardly through'said' passage and aperture into said tank, thereafter closing said aperture, by manipulation through said passage member, while said passage member is still sealed in relation to said aperture, and closing the connection between said removable passage member and said movable tank, thereafter venting the interior of said removable passage member, and thereafter removing it from said iixed tank.

VIRGIL I. HOGPER.

LOUIS G. HOOPER.- 

